Chapter 10. Just trying to help a friend.

The van made its way into the garage, and as soon as it stopped the doors opened. Todd stepped out, and was face-to-face with a crowd of angry X-Men. He gulped. "We're not looking for a fight today..."

"We'll explain later, move; we have to get to Xavier," Tabitha said harshly, eyeing the residents as she got out.

Logan arrived and looked around at the X-Men as he got off his bike. "Everyone inside!" he ordered. There was a brief moment of hesitation among the X-Men, until they heard Logan's claws coming out. They quickly ran inside.

"This way, I'll take you to Charles," Logan said, glancing at Tabitha and Todd.

"That's fine, I'm right here."

Charles wheeled into the garage as Pietro stepped out of the van, helping Fred out as they steadied Lance.

Only for a moment was Xavier deterred, surprised at seeing Lance lifeless in Fred's arms, and Pietro being supported by Tabitha.

"Lance is hurt," Fred stated.

"I see. Come this way, we'll have Hank take a look at him."

The Brotherhood looked around each other for a moment, then nodded and followed.


Hank McCoy was in for a surprise when he entered the infirmary, met by the members of the Brotherhood, most of which seemed to be nervous, some angry, and/or confused. All were worried.

"Hank, thank you for coming promptly..."

"Less-talk-more-action. For all we know Lance could be really hurt!" Pietro said, straining as he slowed down the words that wanted to spill out of his mouth.

"Listen kid, if you think you can..."

Xavier nodded, motioning for Logan to calm down. "It's all right Logan. They're just worried."

Logan nodded and stood back, but did not move his eyes from the Brotherhood.

"Put him down on the table," Hank said to Fred, who had been silent since they had gotten in the van. Fred nodded and carefully put his friend down.

"What exactly happened to him?" Hank asked as he washed his hands.

"We're not sure. We think he used his powers, but we don't know why or how," Tabitha replied.

Hank nodded. "We're going to have to take X-rays to see if he has any broken bones or anything of that sort. Has he been out long?"

"Ever since we found him," Tabitha said, her eyes on Lance, anxiety obvious.

"...He's all right, right? Lance never gets sick. Lance is the healthy one. He's just tired, right? He's not hurt, right?"

Hank sighed and looked at Pietro, who seemed to be having a hard time keeping himself in check. "I don't know. But I must ask you to leave..."

"No." Todd, Pietro and Tabitha interjected.

"We are not leaving Lance alone," Tabitha declared.

"No offense, but we don't trust you all too much," Todd said.

"I can't help Lance with all of you crowded around him," Hank said gently.

Fred tapped Todd, Pietro, and Tabitha on their shoulder. "He's right. We take up too much space," he spoke for the first time since they arrived.

Todd looked at him, distressed. "But we can't just leave him..."

"He's in good hands,Todd," Xavier said, his voice calming. "Logan and I will wait with you outside. You'll be able to see Lance as soon as Hank finishes."

The teens seemed a little less tense after that statement, but looked at each other.

"We should leave, the sooner he can look at Lance, the better," Tabitha said at last.

The boys nodded, and Fred headed out, putting a soft hand on Todd's shoulder as the fifteen-year-old joined him.

Pietro looked back at Lance, worried, but followed Tabitha out.

"They're quite shaken," Hank said to the other two adults in the room, once the teens were out of hearing range.

"Yes, it seems Lance has a greater impact on them than we thought," Xavier said. "But I still don't know why this happened."

"We'll ask Rocky after he wakes up," Logan said, disgruntled, not yet letting go of his suspicion on the Brotherhood. He walked out the room and Xavier nodded to Hank before leaving as well.

"I've told Ororo about this, she'll keep the students away from here until you're done."

Hank nodded. It wouldn't be any good to have the X-Men and Brotherhood start fighting now.